In Pokémon Moon, Technical Machines provide essential ways to customize your team beyond level-up moves. These TM options blend classic staples with new regional tools that change how you approach each island challenge.
This guide focuses on TM choices, teaching mechanics, and how move tutors interact with your broader strategy on Alola.
| TM / Move Tutor | Move | Type | Category | Purpose in Moon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TM03 | Water Pulse | Water | Special | Reliable STAB with confusion chance for bulky Waters |
| TM06 | Toxic | Poison | Status | Core support option for wearing down switch-ins |
| TM10 | Hidden Power | Variable | Special | Coverage based on individual values; useful for coverage gaps |
| TM15 | Hyper Beam | Normal | Special | High power with recharge; strong on sets that can afford the turn |
| TM73 | Thunder Wave | Electric | Status | Speed control for pivoting and sweeping strategies |
Understanding TM Movepool in Moon
The TM movepool in Pokémon Moon reflects Alola’s design, mixing recurring tournament staples with playful island twists. Early-game TMs help smooth over power spikes, while late-game options give polish to competitive builds.
Some TMs are given as rewards for island challenge trials, which encourages integrating these moves into your team instead of treating them as side content. This design keeps TM usage tightly connected to narrative progression.
Learning Mechanics and Move Relearner
Each Pokémon has a limited number of move slots, so choosing which TM to teach involves strategic trade-offs. The Move Relearner on Poni Island offers a safety net, letting you re-teach forgotten moves for a small fee, which reduces the risk of committing to a TM too early.
Egg moves and event moves often fill specialized roles, meaning TMs that cover common weaknesses or provide utility tend to stay relevant across multiple playthroughs and team iterations.
Building Competitive Sets Around TMs
Competitive teams in Moon frequently use TMs to plug coverage holes, add status pressure, or enable specific strategies such as setup sweeping or pivot control. Understanding type matchups in the metagame helps you prioritize TMs that remain useful beyond a single playthrough.
For example, Thunder Wave and support-oriented TMs pair well with fast pivots, while reliable status and recovery options let slower Pokémon perform specialized roles in balanced squads.
Exploring New and Returning TMs
Moon introduces fresh TM designs that echo island life, from neon-inspired aesthetics to moves that reflect tropical surroundings. These new options coexist with classic machines, so veteran players can apply old teambuilding knowledge while experimenting with new tools.
The updated descriptions and in-world placement make it easier to decide which TMs to grab first when you encounter them during your journey across Melemele, Akala, Ula’ula, and Poni Islands.
Key Takeaways for Using TMs Effectively
- Prioritize TMs that cover your team’s shared weaknesses and add essential status tools like Thunder Wave or Toxic.
- Use the Move Relearner on Poni Island to safely experiment with TM moves during your playthrough.
- Consider type synergy with your Pokémon’s role, such as support, setup, or pivoting, when choosing which TM to teach first.
- Remember that TMs can be taught to multiple party members, enabling consistent team-wide coverage across your roster.
FAQ
Reader questions
Which TM should I teach my starter Pokémon first in Moon?
Teach Water Pulse to a Water-type starter for reliable STAB with added utility, or Thunder Wave on an Electric-type if you want speed control and pivoting support.
Can I teach the same TM move to multiple Pokémon on one team?
Yes, TMs in Moon can be used on multiple Pokémon, so you can run shared coverage moves like Thunder Wave or status tools across several team members.
Is it better to use TMs or move tutors in Moon for competitive play?
Use TMs for broad, reusable coverage and status options, and reserve move tutor moves for highly specialized roles that require exclusive techniques unavailable elsewhere.
What happens if I overwrite a valuable TM move by mistake?
Visit the Move Relearner on Poni Island to relearn any TM move you have previously obtained, ensuring you can recover important moves without losing progress.